Company integrates property search with Microsoft Virtual Earth

Sonic Eagle, a real estate technology company based in Pleasant Hill, Calif., announced that it has integrated its property-search tools with Microsoft's Virtual Earth mapping technology.

The integration allows users to view bird's-eye views of properties at a 45-degree angle, which differs from standard top-down aerial views. "This technology gives consumers and agents useful new ways to map properties and better visualize their surroundings from multiple vantage points. On-screen navigational tools and preview tiles enable navigation between directional views or zooming in closer to a property," the company announced.

Harper Thorpe, president and CEO at Sonic Eagle, said the company has incorporated the new mapping capability in its AgentAchieve product, which includes contact management, MLS property search, comparative market analysis, marketing, client relationship, and Web site design tools. Sonic Eagle Inc. was founded in May 2002.

"In combining the features and functionality of AgentAchieve with the incredible visuals of the Virtual Earth platform, we are striving to create the ultimate property searching experience," Thorpe said in a statement. The new mapping capability will be available through the company's broker, broker office, agent and listing notification features.

Microsoft's birds-eye imagery in Virtual Earth covers about 25 percent of the U.S. population, including major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle and Las Vegas, with plans to expand coverage over the next year, Sonic Eagle announced.

Stephen Lawler, general manager of the Virtual Earth business unit at Microsoft, said in a statement, "We are excited that Sonic Eagle is showcasing the ways in which rich mapping and imagery solutions like the Virtual Earth platform can create valuable experience for their customers."